Echinogobius hayashii Iwata, Hosoya & Niimura, 1998
Cheek-streaked goby
photo by Walsh, F.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 20 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Western Australia and Japan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 12-12. Characterized by pale grey color grading to white ventrally; presence of blue-edged red to pink band from occiput to cheek; side of body with variable-sized brown spots on side of body and on dorsal and caudal fins; some larger spots (on shoulder region and first dorsal fin) surrounded by small blue-white spots; upper half of side of body and along base of second dorsal fin with scattered small blue-white spots; hard and pungent first dorsal spine of first dorsal fin, fifth spine forming short filaments; lanceolate caudal fin; longitudinal scale series 29-32; all scales cycloid; predorsal scales absent; depth of body 6.8-7.8 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occurs on clear sandy bottoms with fast tidal currents. Retreats in burrows made possibly by sea cucumbers or polychaetes (Ref. 30347).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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